Amusement device.



J. G. SCHLEICHER.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 25, 1912.

Patented May 13, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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J. G. SGHLEICHER.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLIGATION TILED MAY 25, 1012.

Patented May 13, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

51 wueuto'r COLUMBIA LANoan/mrl CO.,WASHINUTDN. D. C

J. C. SCHLEICHER. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 25, 1912.

Patented May 13, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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JOHN C. SCHLEICHER, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, 1913.

Application filed May 25, 1912. Serial No. 699,778.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN C. SCHLEICHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Vernon, in the county of estchester and State of New Yort, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled. in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the class of games and toys, and more especially to amusement houses; and the object of the same is to produce an improved structure, built on a large scale for the accommodation of numbers of people or merry makers, but especially having above its fixed roof a merr goround which is of such size that perhaps five hundred people may be simultaneously accommodated with seats and whirled through the air at a speed of perhaps fifty miles an hour in imitation of an automobile ride, to give them pleasure and fresh air and therefore to preserve their health.

To this end the invention consists in the general and detailed construction of the structure, the merrygoround, supports therefor, and a ventilating or fanning system by means of which rotation of the merrygoround ventilates or fans an annular apartment immediately below the moving seats.

Details are more fully set forth and claimed below, and are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a central transverse Vertical section through the entire structure; Fig. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away and in section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the step bearing, and Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 1- 1 of Fig. 3; Figs. 5, G and 7 are horizontal sections taken on the lines 5 5, 6-6 and 77 respectively of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the ring and other mechanisms for controlling the vanes or blades; Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sections taken about on the line 9-10 of Fig. 8, showing the blades in different positions; Fig. 11 is an elevation of said ring taken from the inside at about the point indicated by the arrow 1.1 in Fig. 8; Figs. 12 and 13 are cross sections on the lines 12-12 of Fig. 9 and 1313 of Fig. 10 respectively.

The general structure of the building which forms my improved amusement house and contains my improved merrygoround is best seen in Fig. 1. It will not be necessary to go into the details of this structure further than to say that it comprises a base 1 which will doubtless be of concrete or masonry and which I propose to build circular and of about one hundred feet in diameter; a plurality of rings of columns 2 rising from said base, and a suitable wall 3 around it and pierced with door-openings at proper intervals; at least one floor 4 above the base, supported by said walls and columns, and on which floor there will probably be a dance hall whereas the surface of the concrete base may serve for a skating rink; a ceiling 5 above the uppermost floor and extending out to the surroi'lnding wall 3 and pierced with openings 6 above an annular space 7 between the outer wall 3 and the outer ring of columns 2, and which space by preference may be employed for chairs and tables as for sight-seers or diners; and a roof structure 8 supported above the ceiling 5 and inclining from the center of the building outward in all directions to its edge 9 where it is somewhat raised above the ceiling 5 for a purpose to appear below. The horizontal members are pierced with proper openings for stairways 10 at various points, as shown in the drawings but not necessary to describe in detail; and provision may be made for closing the upper ends of these stairways by hatches or otherwise in winter time and when the merrygoround (yet to be described) is not in use, or by a tent or canopy which may form part of the merrygoround structure as will be explained. As far as the building is concerned, however, the floor 12 of the merrygoround itself covers the openings (5 through the ceiling 5 whether the merrygoround is moving or not, and when it is in motion said floor carries ventilating vanes or blades as will now be described.

At several points beneath the annular floor 12, pairs of brackets 13 descend therefrom and have bearings 14: through which is journaled a radial shaft 15 having a gear wheel 16 at its inner end; and 17 designates a ring movable in eyes or guides 18 beneath one edge of the floor 12, and having at intervals rack-bars 19 engaging said gear wheels 16.

The numeral 20 designates an upright lever having a thumb latch moving over a toothed segment 21 as usual, the whole mounted on a standard rising from the floor 12 as best seen in Fig. 11, and the lower end of said lever is loosely connected as at 23 with the ring 17 hen now this lever is moved, the ring will be moved through the eyes 18 and the rack-bars will cause the rotation of the gear wheels 16 so that the various shafts 15 will turn in their bearings 14.

Each shaft carries between such bearings a blade 25 which stands above the ceiling "5 and is of such width that it does not contact therewith, whatever the position of this blade. Therefore when the lever is moved the blade may be turned from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13, or to any intermediate position between these two extremes. Vith the blades all set as shown in Fig. 12, the floor might be rotated above the perforated ceiling and very little if any breeze would be set up within the annular space 7 with the blades set as shown in Fig. 13, when the annular floor 12 was rotated, considerable breeze would be delivered into said space 7 and with the blades properly set between these two extreme positions it might be possible to cause the rotation of the merrygoround to deliver a strong blast of air downward through the openings 6 in the ceiling 5 and onto the occupants or the annular space 7.

The merrygoround feature of this invention is of such size and capacity that it necessitates the presence of a heavy central pier 30 as of masonry or concrete, doubtless the latter, and which may form an ornamental post at the center of the dancing pavilion and the skating rink. The upper end of this pier projects for a considerable distance above the roof 8 and is surmounted by a concave socket 31 as best seen in Fig. 3, the same being preferably made of steel, bolted into place as at 32, provided in its bottom with cross ribs 33, and perforated as at 34 where the ribs cross so as to ing thence away as at 35 and through which dust and dirty grease can be washed from time to time. Also the innermost ring of columns 2 will be carried upward through the roof 8 as seen in Fig. 1 at 36, and forked at the upper ends as at 37, and within the fork of each column will be journaled an anti-friction roller 38 for a purpose yet to appear.

The merrygoround structure itself includes a hub 40 well seen in Fig. 4', and a spider 41 made up of arms radiating from said hub to and carrying an a-nnufar floor or deck 42 which is disposed directly above the annular floor 12 above referred to, and which supports the latter by means of four rings of hangers 43 as willbe seen from Fig. 5. The.

spider and hub preferably carry a central mast 44 whose upper end is connected by guy ropes 45 with the arms of the spider of the upper deck, and these guys are connected provide an outlet lead dropped below with each other in a manner not necessary to amplify; and over the whole may be thrown a canopy or tent covering 46 as herein before suggested. On each deck are mounted two rings of seats 47 and 48, each seat containing two persons and the outer ring 47 being the height of the inner ring 48 so that the occupants of the latter may look over the heads of the occupants of the outer ring. The outer ends of the outer seats are closed as at 4'9, doors 50 separate the two seats, and doors 51 separate the inner seats and form the inner edge of the upper deck 42 which is used as a promenade and there fore doubtless will have a railing 52. same construction of seats and doors is followed on the lower deck or floor 12, and stairways 53 connect thetwo decks or floors of the merrygoround at proper intervals.

he motive power for this improved merrygoround is also well shown in Fig, 1, and

leaf 62 is provided with two outside grooves 63 and 64; and two belts 65 and 66 respectively connecting the motors 60 with said grooves.

The arrangement is such that the tension of the belts is opposed to each other 1 device is at rest or disposed with the as seen in Fig. 2 and therefore whether the motors and their belt connections driven ring serve to hold the rotary member or merrygoround well centered upon the supporting pier 30.

The support for the enormous weight Wl1i0h such a double-decked merrygoround iwould carry is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The hub 40 at the center of the spider 41 carries near its lower end a plate .70 provided in its lower face with a series 30f grooves 71 constituting ball races for a lseries of balls 72 all ofwhich travel upon i the flat upper face 73 of a supporting member 7 4 whose lower end is externally rounded as at 75 so that it shall itself constitute a ball coacting with the socket 31 to profduce a ball-and-socket connection between 5 this member and the pier 30. The lower end Q of the ball 7 5 is by preference provided with a cross groove 76, coacting with the cross v ribs 33 so that the ball member 7 5 shall not rotate within the socket member but may rock therein slightly;

whereas the supporting member 74 holds the hub 40 of the spider by a plurality of concentric ball bearings as described, and in addition the lower end of the hub is projected as at 7 7 below the plate and provided with an annular groove in which is carried a set of balls 7 8 traveling within the wall of a cylindrical socket 7 9 formed within the upper end of in motion the oppositely lbs the member 74, so that lateral dislocation of the plate and member 74 is rendered impossible.

There are many details of construction not necessary to give in a patent applicw tion, and I have amplified only those which appear to be necessary as affording basis for the appended claims. I have not given the sizes, shapes, proportions, or specific details of parts, as they are not essential to the general idea. Furthermore it is possible that various changes in and additions to the structure may be made without departing from the invention.

In use, the merrymakers will doubtless enter the structure through a main door, those who desire to skate remaining down stairs and those who desire to dance ascending the first flight of stairs which they reach. The annular space 7 I would by preference use for a cafe, and access thereto might be limited or otherwise as preferred. Those who desire to take a ride in imitation of the most rapidly moving auto-mobile, will ascend the second stairway 10, pass through the roof 8, and (when the merrygoround has come to rest) step onto the lower deck 12 or pass up the last stairway to the upper deck 42 and take their seats. The motors are then started, and their bolts 60 drive the driven ring which causes the spider and the parts carried thereby to rotate, the considerable size of the structure causing its double decks and the seats thereon to move through space at a rapid rate of speed which is not to be attained if the circumference of the merrygoround is less. A merrygoround built on this scale will of course require to be supported and evenly balanced, and for this purpose I have designed the step bearing seen in Fig. 3, and which includes not only the ball-and-socket mechanism, but also a series of ball bearings sutlicient to support the weight thrown upon the spider. If it should so happen that the attendant loads the passengers onto decks unevenly, the hub 40 and its supporting member 74 may be canted slightly so that the ball rocks within the socket 31,

but at all times the lower face of the plate 70 and upper face 73 of the member 74 will remain in true parallelism and every ball in the several rings of hearings will sustain it whatsoever the weight. The ribs and grooves within the ball-and-socket mechanism are provided to prevent the ball member 75 from rotating with the plate 70, in case the ball bearings should. run dry. The duct 35 is to permit the dirty oil and particles of foreign matter to be washed out the parts from time to time, in a manner which will be clear. If, however, excessive weight should be thrown onto one side of the device and the merrygoround as a whole is thrown out of balance, it can only result that the upper leaf 61 of the driven ring will be borne down at one side onto the anti-friction wheels 38 carried by the extensions 36 of the columns 2 at that side of the center; and it is the intention that these wheels will stand so near the track or leaf 61 that when the rotary structure dips a little at this side the lower lloor 12 and the blades 25 carried thereby will not contact with the ceiling 5 above the cafe. When the occupants of this space desire ventilation, the lever 21 is moved to turn all the blades 25 more or less, and the rapid rotation of the same over the openings 6 will direct air down into the cafe in a manner which will be understood. Occassionally the merrygoround is brought to rest, the )assengers thereon are discharged or forced to pay an other fare, the places of those who vacate their seats are filled by others, and the retation of the merrygoround resumed.

hat is claimed as new is 1. The herein described amusement house comprising a, circular structure having an annular space around its edge with openings through the ceiling of said space; combined with a merrygoround whose floor is disposed above said ceiling and the openings therein, a series of blades carried by said floor, and means for adjusting the angle of the blades.

2. The herein described amusement house comprising a circular structure having an annular space around its edge with openings through the ceiling of said space; combined with a merrygoround whose floor moves in a plane above said ceiling and the openings therein, a series of blades mounted on radial shafts journaled in bearings depending from said floor, connections between said shafts, and means for adjusting them in their bearings to set the blades at various angles.

3. The herein described amusement house comprising a circular structure having a plurality of floors connected by stairways and the like, an annular space around the edge of the uppermost floor, the ceiling above said space being provided with a ring of openings, and a roof above said ceiling whose periphery stands inside the inner ends of said openings; combined with a contrally mounted mcrrygorountl structure including an elevated support, a hanging lloor carried thereby and whose inner edge moves past the periphery of said roof, a series of blades carried by said floor and moving above the openings in the ceiling, and means for adjusting the angle of said blades.

4. The herein described amusement house comprising a circular structure having a plurality of floors connected by stair-ways and the like, an annular space around the edge of the uppermost floor, the ceiling above said space being provided with a ring of openings, and a roof above said ceiling whose periphery stands inside the inner ends of said openings; combined with a centrally mounted merrygoround structure including an elevated support, a hanging floor carried thereby and whose inner edge moves past the periphery of said roof, aseries of blades hinged to said floor and moving above the cue, no s s-c; sire? Eun ce eqq In sfiu uedo shafts of said blades, a ring movably mounted in said floor and having racks at intervals engaging said gears, and lever mechanism for adjusting the position of said ring, for the purpose set forth.

5. The herein described amusement house comprising a circular structure consisting of a base, a main floor above it, a ceiling above said floor, a roof above and smaller than the ceiling, an inolosing wall surrounding said floor and ceiling, stairways connecting the base with the floor and the floor with the roof, a ring of posts from the base through said floor to the ceiling, a smaller ring of posts from the base through said floor and ceiling and roof, and anti-friction rollers carried by the upper ends of the posts of the smaller ring; combined with a merrygo-round structure including a spider carrying a ring standing above said rollers, a central pier'in the house structure extending from the base upward through its roof, a step bearing between the hub of the spider and the apex of said pier, and a plurality .of decks carried by the arms of said spider, the lowermost deck standing in line with and beyond the periphery of said roof, substantially as described.

6; In a merrygoround, the combination with an upright pier, a spider whose hub has a step bearing on the apex of said pier, a mast rising therefrom, guy ropes connect-- ing the mast with the arms of said spider, and means for rotatin the entire spider; of a plurality of rings ov hanger rods depend ing from the arms of said spider, an upper annular floor carried by said rods and a lower annular floor carried by said rods beneath the upper floor, seats on both floors, and means of communication between said floors.

7. In a merrygoround, the combination with a central upright pivot, a spider whose hub has a step bearing thereon, decks carried by the arms of said spider, and seats on said decks; of an angle iron ring whose upper leaf is secured beneath said arms and whose lower leaf has a plurality of grooves, uprights carrying anti-friction rollers standing beneath said upper leaf, a plurality of motors outside said uprights, and belts leading from the motors and respectively engage ing said grooves in the ring, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a merrygoround, the combination with a central upright pivot, a spider whose hub forms one member of a ball bearing, a support beneath the same and forming the other member of said ball bearing, the lower end of the support being shaped in the form of a ball, a socket element on the upper end of the pivot and in which said ball rests, decks carried by the arms of said spider, and seats on said decks; of an angle-iron ring whose upper leaf is secured beneath said arms and whose lower leaf has a plurality of grooves, uprights carrying antifrict-io'n rollers standing beneath said upper leaf, a plurality of motors outside said uprights, and belts leading from the motors and respectively engaging said grooves in the ring, for the purpose set forth.

9, In a merrygorou-nd, the combination with a central support having a socket in its upper end, a supporting member having a ball-shaped lower end resting in said socket and itself forming one member of a ball bearing, a plate grooved in its lower face and forming the other member thereof, balls between said members, and means for hold ing the members in concentric positions; of the merrygoround proper including a deck, and a spider whose arms carry said deck and whose hub is connected with the upper member of said ball bearing.

10. The herein described step bearing for merrygorounds and, the like, the same comprising an upright having a socket member in its upper end, a ball member engaging the socket loosely, means for preventing the rotation of the ball member within the socket member, a third member overlying the ball member, a ball bearing between the two up,- permost members, and the merrygoround structure proper including a hub connected with the uppermost member.

11. The herein described step bearing for merrygorounds and the like, the same comprising an upright having a socket member in its upper end, a ball member engaging the socket loosely, means for preventing the rotation of the ball member within the socket member, a third member overlying the ball member and having a central projection extending downward and provided with an exterior groove, said ball member being provided with a socket to receive said projection, a series of balls traveling in said groove against the walls of said socket, a ball hearing between the two uppermost members, and the merrygoround structure proper including a hub connected with the uppermost member. Y

12. The herein described step bearing for merrygorounds and the like, the same comprising an upright having a socket member in its upper end, a ball member engaging the socket loosely, cross ribs rising from the bottom of said socket, the lower end of'said ball being provided with cross grooves loosely engaging said ribs to prevent the rotation of the ball within the socket, a third member overlying the ball member, a ball bearing between the two uppermost members, and the merrygoround structure proper including a hub connected with the uppermost member.

13. A step bearing for merrygorounds and the like, the same comprising ball-and-socket members engagin each other, one being ribbed and the other being grooved to prevent their relative rotation, the socket member having a perforation at its bottom communicating with an outlet for the purpose set forth, the upper face of the ball member being flat, a plate disposed above said flat face and provided with a concentric series of grooves, anti-friction balls disposed within said grooves, means for maintaining the plate and ball member concentrically disposed with each other, and the merrygoround structure carried by said plate.

14. A step bearing for merrygorounds and the like, the same comprising ball-and-Socket members engaging each other, one being ribbed and the other being grooved to prevent their relative rotation, the socket member having a perforation at its bottom communicating with an outlet for the purpose set forth, a third member disposed above the ball member, anti-friction devices between the last two members to permit the relative rotation of the third member above said ball member, and the merrygoround structure proper carried by said third member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN C. SCHLEIGHER.

Witnesses:

L. O. HILTON, M. I. BUSSIUS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

